People with dementia ‘unheard’ claims charity

A charity based in the South West says people with dementia are going unheard – and it wants to hear from people affected to try and change that.

Memory Matters, based in Plymouth, has launched a new campaign called ‘Visible – Valued – Heard’, which is aiming to collect at least 6,000 stories, which it will use to lobby the Government to take action.

Shania James from the charity told us, “We know their voices aren’t heard, and with these stories we’re going to compile them and lobby them to Government, and tag local MPs to force them into action.”

Dan Cocker from Memory Matters added, “Lots of these people living with dementia, and their families and carers, have been isolated throughout this whole period of time, and working with dementia we know people living with dementia can live incredible lives and still be at the forefront of their community.”

“We felt we didn’t exist in society”

One person who has already shared their story is Ken Jardine, who’s been visiting the charity since he was diagnosed with the condition.

He told us he agrees that people with dementia are forgotten, “We felt invisible. We felt we didn’t exist in society, almost to the point that you’d get “Unclean, Unclean” if you walked along the street’.

Since beginning work with Memory Matters, he says he’s much more open about his dementia, “I’m now explaining who I am, and all of a sudden I realise I’m unburdening myself – I’m getting rid of things I don’t want”

You can find out more about Visible – Valued – Heard, and how to take part, at https://www.memorymatters.org.uk/visible-valued-heard/